And with about the same amount of effort you can beat a DGN into a DWG, so there you are, just as compatible.
With the exception of cutting the 6" stock most of the steps would be required to simply replace a chevy alternator with another chevy one. I didn't peruse the article but I assuming he is adding a new 10 gauge wire as the amperage off the new alternator is higher than the one he is replacing, common practice. The fact that both require work doesn't make it a good analogy.
The same level of "force fit" is required for the Chevy alternator to fit the Toyota as making a DGN fit a DWG. My question remains, does that make Chevy a Scumbag? The adapter for my Verizon phone does not work with my Cingular phone, which of those is the scumbag, if either? There are thousands of items that are incompatible with other like items, why would either be a scumbag?
build in a little 'job security' into the data so that the next guy will need my software to read it as well is more along the lines of everyone needing a pair of "HP decoder glasses" to read documents printed from HP printers.
You can print both DGN's and DWG's and they read quite nicely, no decoder glasses needed.
Missing my point entirely.
Oh no, I've read it hundreds of times before. I'm quite familiar with Evan and his ODA.
A computer file is a end product, just like a print.
Not at all like a print, a print is a physical object, and you said above that was a stupid analogy.
Again missing my point entirely.
Nope, again.
You shouldn't need any special tool to extract data from it.
You don't, you only need to read the same language <format> in which it was written, "and as long as it meets the requirements, of the" format "it is intended to replace ", "it can be swapped out."
This doesn't make sense.
I just copied what you wrote about the alternator. If it doesn't make sense, it belongs to you.
If I write something in english and hash it with SHA-1 you will be able to read it?
No, I wouldn't <without some level of effort translating it>, nor would I exect to, nor would you be a scumbag for doing so. Just as if I wrote a file in DWG format, I would not expect a DGN decomplier to read it <without some level of effort translating it>, or bought an Chevy alternator for a Toyota <without some level of effort in translating it>. None of that translates into 'scumbag'.
Alternators, cell phone chargers and almost all commercially available items are documented in terms of physical dimensions, power input, power output, etc. The market wouldn't stand for anything less. This makes interoperability between vendors possible.
I don't know enough about Chevy alternators or cell phone chargers to develop an opinion on whether they are scum bags or not. Coming from an OEM background I find them deliberately using parts that will not work with competitors unlikely. I would assume they buy out parts from sub-vendors and use whatever is cheapest and fits their design goals.
Also for the record neither Cingular nor Verizon are manufactures of cell phones, they are retailers. Before I purchased my BlackBerry I had no trouble using the cell phone charger from my girlfriend's Razr (purchased from Verizon) with my Razr (purchased from Cingular).
